Tag: Australian birds

Bee-eaters in the air

November 11, 2020

I finally managed to capture a bee-eater in flight. These two got my attention. One would fly off, presumably to catch a bug, and then return to the other. Maybe it was feeding it because they seemed to share the food. After a while I realised that if I just waited and held my breath, with my finger on the button, eventually I might be able to catch one in flight.

Needless to say, I have many pics of a single bird, having been too slow or simply missing my chance. But I’m so pleased to have these.

Ibis Rookery

November 10, 2020

At Box Bridge, near Kow Swamp

I’ve finally taken the time to look more carefully at what is all around me. I have learnt that there are three types of Ibis in Australia and two appear to be in the picture above. The white ones are just that, White ibis, once known as Sacred ibis and now affectionately known as “bin-chickens”. The darker birds are straw-necked ibis. They have straw like feathers on the front of their necks. The third type, The Glossy Ibis I have yet to see.

Gathering along every edge of the water
A single image doesn’t do the numbers justice

They were everywhere. For some reason unknown to me they have congregated at this particular spot this year. Other years have seen them gathering in different locations in the area. There are huge numbers of them.

Black-fronted Dotteril

November 4, 2020

This bird is sometimes called a Black-fronted Dotterill. I found it poking along in the muddy edge of a lake at Wooroonook, in Central Victoria, Australia, while I was out camping for the weekend..

It runs along and stops very suddenly. I found it difficult to get it in focus because of all the sudden movement Busy little thing.

For Lisa’s Bird Weekly Challenge. I’m just learning to take photos of birds. I find it so much more difficult when the subject keeps moving!! At least flowers don’t fly off on you when they realise you are there. But there is a great feeling of achievement when I can actually recognise a bird in the shot. I have so much respect for the skills of bird photographers… and I will keep trying to improve mine.

White winged Chough nest

November 1, 2020

The White Winged Chough builds these amazing mud nests. From a distance these birds look like crows, until they take off in flight. They have very noticeable white flashes on their wings.

They also have amazing red eyes,

And their long curved beaks look mean.

They live together in groups. We found quite a lot of these nesting along a stretch of bush track.

One day I will try to take photos of them when they leave their nests!

Bee-Eater

October 26, 2020

This tiny little bird is absolutely beautifully colored. It is called a Rainbow Bee-eater. The colors are intense, especially when it flies. I’m sill to take a picture of it in flight. It moves really quickly.

Red Rumped Parrot

October 24, 2020

Taking photographs of birds is not easy! I had a lovely day today, trying to photograph birds. I learnt a lot and learnt that I have lots more to learn…

Here are some photos of this Red Rumped Parrot. I find it difficult to find the birds in the lens, let alone focus the shot. But at least I can recognise this bird now. He’s got a red patch on his rump.